Squeegee assembly for use in screen printing machines

ABSTRACT

This disclosure is directed to a squeegee assembly for a screen printing machine in which the squeegee blade is releasably secured to a holder in a manner permitting the blade to be easily removed or replaced from its holder with a minimum of effort and a maximum of ease. This is attained by a gravity actuated locking slide which is operatively associated with the holder to maintain a wedging action on the blade or its mount which is induced by gravity that releasably secures the squeegee blade onto its holder in a positive manner.

J affa United States Patent 1' Aug. 22, 1972 SQUEEGEE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN SCREEN PRINTING MACHINES David Jaffa, Fairlawn, NJ.

Precision Screen Machine, Hawthorne, NJ.

Jan. 18, 1971 Inventor:

Assignee: Inc.,

Filed:

Appl. No.1

US. Cl ..15/245, 101/114 Int. Cl. ..B4If 15/44 Field of Search ..15/245, 256.5; 101/114;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1903 Rofe ..15/245 10/1961 Allen ..101/157 12/ 1 941 Mollet 15/245 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 3,355 2/1905 Great Britain 15/145 Primary Examiner-Leon G. Machlin Attorneylrving Seidman [57] ABSTRACT This disclosure is directed to a squeegee assembly for a screen printing machine in which the squeegee blade is releasably secured to a holder in a manner permitting the blade to be easily removed or replaced from its holder with a minimum of effort and a maximum of case' This is attained by a gravity actuated locking slide which is operatively associated with the holder to maintain a wedging action on the blade or its mount which is induced by gravity that releasably secures the squeegee blade onto its holder in a positive manner.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEIIMIEZ? 2 7 3.685085 'SIIEEIlIIFZ 5B F/G. 2

INVENTOR. DA V D JAF FA ATTORNEY rAriminwsz-zmz 3.685.085

' SHEET 2 of 2 INVENTOR. DA V/ D JA F FA ATTORNEY SQUEEGEE ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN SCREEN PRINTING MACHINES PROBLEM AND PRIOR ART Various squeegee assemblies have been proposed for use with screen printing machines. Such squeegees are utilized to effect either a printing stroke and/or a flood stroke on a printing screen. Frequently such squeegees are required to be vertically adjusted relative to the printing screen to allow for a variance in the pressure with which the squeegee bears on the surface of the printing screen and the material being printed. Heretofore relatively complex supporting means have been employed to support the squeegee in position over a printing screen. However, in the known arrangements it was difficult to effect removal and/or replacement of the squeegee when cleaning and/or repair was required. As a result a considerable amount of labor, time and effort was heretofore required to effect the removal and/or replacement of the squeegee from the known squeegee assemblies, all of which added greatly to the down time and operating costs of such machines.

OBJECTS It is an object of this invention to provide an improved squeegee assembly in which the squeegee blade is releasably secured to its holder to facilitate removal or replacement of the squeegee blade with a minimum of effort and a maximum of ease.

Another object is to provide a squeegee assembly in which the squeegee blade is releasably secured thereto in a simple and efficient manner, and whereby the squeegee may be adjusted to vary the pressure at which it bears on a printing screen.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a squeegee assembly having a releasable locking arrangement which is gravity actuated in the operative position to apply a positive or firm wedging action on the squeegee blade in maintaining the squeegee blade in position relative to its holder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a squeegee assembly having a readily removable squeegee blade which is relatively simple in construction, can be inexpensively fabricated, and which is positive in operation.

BRIEF'SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION support by means of adjusting studs spaced along the. support. The holder is defined by an angled member.

having a generally horizontal flange portion and a connected depending flange portion. A squeegee blade v mount and connected squeegee blade is supported on the depending flange portion of the blade holder so as to be detachably connected thereto. Complementary means are formed on the holder and the squeegee blade mount respectively for positioning the blade mount relative to its holder. A releasable locking means is provided for effecting a releasable locking arrangement between the squeegee blade mount or squeegee and its holder. The releasable locking means is defined as a slideway formed in the blade holder and which slideway is angled toward the depending flange of the blade holder. A slide is movably mounted in the slideway so that in the operative position, the slide im- 5 poses a wedging action on the blade mount or squeegee which is induced by gravity to firmly and securely wedge the blade mount or squeegee in position between the depending flange of the holder and the slide. The arrangement is such that the blade mount or squeegee can be readily removed simply be retracting the locking slide to inoperative position to permit the squeegee blade mount or squeegee to be readily removed from its holder. To effectively lock the squeegee blade mount or squeegee in position on its holder it is merely necessary to position the blade mount or squeegee on the holder and permit the slides to drop by gravity into wedging relationship therewith.

FEATURES 20 A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a squeegee assembly having a readily removable squeegee blade wherein the squeegee blade is releasably locked in the assembled position by means of gravity actuated locking slides which induce a wedging action on the blade means or squeegee to positively secure it in locked relationship.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of releasably locking a squeegee blade mount or squeegee to its holder by means of spaced apart gravity actuated slide locking members.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the description and drawing in which:

FIG. '1 is a vertical front elevation view, having portions thereof broken away, of a squeegee assembly embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side sectional view taken along line 22 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective, detailed view of the blade holding means of the squeegee assembly.

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the squeegee means embodied in the squeegee assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the locking slide means.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a squeegee assembly embodying the present invention. The squeegee assembly 10 comprises a support means in the form of a supporting bar 11 which is suitably connected to a screen printing machine for supporting a squeegee blade means 12 in position above a printing screen (not shown) of a screen printing machine. Supported at spaced intervals along the length of the support bar 11 is a bushing 13 having a bore 13A extending therethrough for receiving an adjusting stud 14 by which the squeegee holding means 15 and associated squeegee blade means 12 is dependently supported from the support bar 1 1. As best seen in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the bore is internally threaded at 16 to mate with the external threads of stud 14. An adjusting knob 17 is secured to the extended portion of the bushing 13 extended above the support bar 11 by means of set screws 18. A thrust bar 19 may be interposed between the adjusting knob 17 and the upper surfaces of the'support bar 11. Also a thrust bar is interposed beneath the support bar 11. Accordingly, the arrangement is such that whenever the adjusting knob 17 is rotated in one direction or the other, the pressure adjusting stud 14 is moved axially between a raised and lowered position. As it will be hereinafter described in further detail, the linear movement or displacement of the pressure stud l4 varies the pressure at which the squeegee blade means 12 bears against the surface of a printing screen.

A suitable locking nut 21 may be threaded to the upper end of the adjusting studs 14 to maintain the respective studs in the adjusted position thereof.

The holding means 15 connected to the lower end of the respective adjusting studs, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, comprises an angled member having a substantially horizontally extending flange portion 15A and a depending connected flange portion 15B. In the illustrated form of the invention the depending flange portion 158 is angled slightly off the vertical. The upper surface of the horizontal flange 15A is provided with a counter bore 22 for receiving the lower ends of the adjusting studs 14 for connection therebetween. A slideway 23 is formed or notched out of the front end of the horizontal flange portion 15A at spaced intervals therealong. As shown, the bottom surface 23A of the notched outslideway 23 is inclined or angled toward the depending flange portion 15A of the holding means 15. A pin or guide rod 24 is interconnected between the opposed side portions 23B23B of the slideway 23 defined by the notched out portion. The distance between the inclined bottom wall 23A of the slideway and the guide pin 24 defines with the sidewalls of the slideway 23 a guideway for receiving the locking slide 25 by which the squeegee blade means 12 including associated squeegee blade 12A is releasably secured in position on the holding means 15.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 the squeegee blade means 12 includes a blade holder 12B and an associated squeegee blade 12A. It will be understood that the squeegee blade 12A may be formed of a resilient material, as for example, rubber, plastic or the like, to effect the necessary squeegee action on the printing screen when the squeegee assembly and/or screen are moved relative to one another during a printing or flood stroke.

In the illustrated form of the invention the squeegee blade holder 12B and the depending flange portion 15B of the holding means 15 are provided with complementary means for properly locating or positioning the squeegee blade holder 12B onto the holding means 15. In the illustrated form of the invention the complementary means comprises a pin or boss 27 and hole 28 construction. In the illustrated form of the embodiment the projecting pin or boss 27 is suitably secured to the depending flange portion 158 of the holding means 15 at spaced intervals therealong. The squeegee blade holder 128 in turn is provided with a complementary hole or opening 28 adapted to receive pin 27 when the blade holder 12B is in position on the holding means 15. A modified, complementary means may comprise a complementary key 29 and keyway 30 between the depending portion 15B of the holding means 15 and the squeegee blade holder 12B to effect positioning of the squeegee blade holder 128 on the holding means 15. As shown, the squeegee blade holder 128 on the back side thereof may be provided with an extending key 29 which extends longitudinally along blade holder 12B and which is adapted to be received in a complementary keyway 30 formed in the depending flange portion 15B of the holding means 15. It will be understood that while the drawing illustrates both complementary means 27 and 28 and complementary means 29 and 30 as being both employed, in practise only one set of complementary means need be required for a particular installation. Further the pins 27 may be made readily removable so that one may have the option of either using the pin 27 and hole 28 complementary means and/or the key 29 and keyway 30 complementary means. The key 29 and keyway 30 when employed permit relative lateral adjustment between the blade holder 15 and the blade means 12; whereas the pin 27 and hole 28 when used precisely position the blade means 12 relative to holder means 15. Thus the pin and hole means 27, 28 and means 29 and 30 may be alternately utilized, or in the alternative may be used together.

In operation, the locking slide 25 is free to be raised and lowered in the slideway 23 defined. As best seen in FIG. 2 the lower end of the locking slide 25 is provided with a flat surface 25A which is adapted to bear against the flat surface of the squeegee blade holder 12B in the operative position. It will be noted that the locking slide 25 is free to slide between a raised and lowered positron.

To effect removal or replacement of the squeegee blade means 12 from its associated holding means 15, an operator need only to shift or lift the locking slides 25 to a raised position, as indicated in the dotted line showing on FIG. 2. With the locking slides 25 in their raised position the squeegee blade holder 12B and associated squeegee blade 12A can be readily removed simply by removing the squeegee blade holder 128 off or from pins 27 projecting from the flange portion 15B of the holding means 15 or from the keyway 30. To position the squeegee blade holder 12B and associated squeegee blade 12A in position on the holding means 15, an operator merely is required to support the squeegee blade holder 128 on the locating pins 27 and/or locating key 29 in keyway 30, and thereafter cause the locking slides 25 to be moved to their lowered position as indicated in the solid line showing on FIG. 2. The arrangement is such that the gravity operating on the locking slides 25 is sufficient to maintain the necessary holding or wedging pressure on the squeegee blade holder 12B to maintain it in a firmly secured position on the holding means 15. The angle at which the locking slides 25 are directed toward the squeegee blade holder 12B is such that a wedging action is imparted on the squeegee blade holder to firmly secure or wedge the squeegee means 12 between the depending'flange portion 15B of the holding means 15 and the lower end portion 25A of the locking slide 25.

To prohibit the locking slide 25 from becoming separated from its associated slideway 23, the locking slide may be provided with upper and lower stop means in the form of a rivet screw 31, 32 connected thereto. The projection of the respective stops in the form of a rivet or screw 31, 32 prohibits the locking slide 25 from being removed from the slideway 23 for the reason that the spacing between the incline surface 23A of the slideway 23 and the guide pin 24 is such as to prohibit the projecting stop rivets 31, 32 from passing therethrough.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the squeegee assembly described provides for a relatively simple construction whereby a squeegee blade 12A may be readily removed and/or replaced from its holding means 15. The arrangement is such that a positive, readily releasable, locking action is affected that is gravity actuated, and which does not require the use of any tool to effect the replacement and/or removal of the squeegee blade means 12. The wedging action induced by the gravity actuated slides 25 is such that a squeegee blade means 12 is firmly secured in position onto its holder 15. Also the arrangement is such that the speed and/or vibration to which the squeegee assembly is subjected will not in any way interfere with the operation and/or holding ability of the locking arrangement described.

While the instant invention has been described and disclosed with respect to a particular embodiment thereof it will be readily appreciated and understood that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A squeegee assembly comprising:

a squeegee blade means,

a holding means for supporting said blade means,

support means for supporting said holding means,

and a readily releasable locking means on said support means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means to said support means in a firm and positive manner,

said locking means including a slideway formed in said support means inclined toward said blade holding means,

and a locking slide slideably disposed in said slideway to bear on said blade holding means for securing said blade holding means to said support means.

2. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable locking means is gravity actuated in the operative position.

3. A squeegee assembly comprising:

a squeegee blade means,

a holding means for supporting said blade means,

support means for supporting said holding means,

and a readily releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means in a firm and positive manner,

said releasable locking means including a slideway formed in said holding means,

said slideway being angled toward said blade means supported on said holding means,

a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway to bear on said squeegee blade means in the operative position by gravity.

4. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein:

said squeegee blade means and said holding means include complementary means for positioning said blade means on said holding means.

5. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said complementary means includes a positioning pin formed on one of said means and a complementary hole adapted to receive said pin formed on the other of said means.

and a readily releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means in a firm and positive manner,

said holding means including an angled member having angularly disposed flanges defining a generally horizontal flange and a connected depending flange,

said blade means being supported on said depending flange, and said releasable locking means includa slideway formed in said horizontal flange,

said slideway being angled toward said blade means supported on said depending flange,

and a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway to bear on said blade means in the operative position whereby said blade means is securely wedged between said depending flange and said locking slide.

9. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 8 and including stop means on said slide to prohibit removal of said slide from said slideway.

10. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 8 and including means, for effecting adjustment of said holding means and connected blade means to vary the pressure exerted by said blade means in operation,

said adjusting means including an adjusting stud connected to said blade holder,

and an adjusting knob operatively connected to said stud to effect displacement of the connected holder and squeegee blade.

1 1. A squeegee assembly comprising:

a support means including-a squeegee support bar,

a blade holding means,

connecting means for dependently supporting said blade holding means from said support bar,

said connecting means including at least two pressure bushings spaced along said support bar,

an adjusting stud extending through each bushing,

said stud being threaded to its respective bushing,

an adjusting knob connected to the respective bushing to effect relative reciprocal movement between said stud and associated bushing when said knob is rotated,

said blade holding means being operatively connected to said adjusting studs,

said blade holding means including an angled member having a generally horizontal flange and a connected depending flange,

a squeegee blade means,

means for positioning said squeegee blade means on said depending flange,

and a releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means to said blade holding means,

said locking means including a slideway formed in the horizontal flange of said holding means, I

said slideway being angled toward said depending flange and blade means positioned thereon,

a slide movably mounted in said slideway,

said slide in the operative position being disposed in bearing relationship on said blade means whereby,

said blade means is securely wedged between said depending flange and said slide.

12. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said positioning means includes a pin projecting from said depending flange, and a complementary hole formed on said blade means adapted to receive said pin in the operative position.

13. A squeegee assembly asdefined in claim 11 and wherein said blade means and associated depending flange of said holder have complementary key and keyway formed thereon.

14. A squeegee assembly for use on a screen printing machine comprising:

means defining a support bar,

a blade holding means including a squeegee blade means connected thereto,

adjusting means for connecting said blade holding means and connected squeegee blade means for relative movement with respect to said support bar to vary the pressure at which said squeegee blade means is adapted to bear on a printing screen,

complementary means formed on said holding means and squeegee blade means for positioning said squeegee blade means on said holding means,

and a releasable locking means for detachably securing said squeegee blade means i to said holding means,

said releasable locking means including:

a slideway formed in said holding means,

said slideway being angled toward said squeegee blade means,

and a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway which is gravity actuated toward said squeegee blade means for securely wedging said blade means to said holder means in the operative position thereof. 

1. A squeegee assembly comprising: a squeegee blade means, a holding means for supporting said blade means, support means for supporting said holding means, and a readily releasable locking means on said support means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means to said support means in a firm and positive manner, said locking means including a slideway formed in said support means inclined toward said blade holding means, and a locking slide slideably disposed in said slideway to bear on said blade holding means for securing said blade holding means to said support means.
 2. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable locking means is gravity actuated in the operative positIon.
 3. A squeegee assembly comprising: a squeegee blade means, a holding means for supporting said blade means, support means for supporting said holding means, and a readily releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means in a firm and positive manner, said releasable locking means including a slideway formed in said holding means, said slideway being angled toward said blade means supported on said holding means, a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway to bear on said squeegee blade means in the operative position by gravity.
 4. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein: said squeegee blade means and said holding means include complementary means for positioning said blade means on said holding means.
 5. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said complementary means includes a positioning pin formed on one of said means and a complementary hole adapted to receive said pin formed on the other of said means.
 6. A squeegee assembly as described in claim 4 and including a keyway formed on one of said means and a projecting key formed on the other of said means, whereby said key is slidably received in said keyway.
 7. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 3 and including means for effecting adjustment on said blade means to vary the pressure said blade means is adapted to bear on a printing screen.
 8. A squeegee assembly comprising: a squeegee blade means, a holding means for supporting said blade means, support means for supporting said holding means, and a readily releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means and said holding means in a firm and positive manner, said holding means including an angled member having angularly disposed flanges defining a generally horizontal flange and a connected depending flange, said blade means being supported on said depending flange, and said releasable locking means including: a slideway formed in said horizontal flange, said slideway being angled toward said blade means supported on said depending flange, and a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway to bear on said blade means in the operative position whereby said blade means is securely wedged between said depending flange and said locking slide.
 9. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 8 and including stop means on said slide to prohibit removal of said slide from said slideway.
 10. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 8 and including means for effecting adjustment of said holding means and connected blade means to vary the pressure exerted by said blade means in operation, said adjusting means including an adjusting stud connected to said blade holder, and an adjusting knob operatively connected to said stud to effect displacement of the connected holder and squeegee blade.
 11. A squeegee assembly comprising: a support means including a squeegee support bar, a blade holding means, connecting means for dependently supporting said blade holding means from said support bar, said connecting means including at least two pressure bushings spaced along said support bar, an adjusting stud extending through each bushing, said stud being threaded to its respective bushing, an adjusting knob connected to the respective bushing to effect relative reciprocal movement between said stud and associated bushing when said knob is rotated, said blade holding means being operatively connected to said adjusting studs, said blade holding means including an angled member having a generally horizontal flange and a connected depending flange, a squeegee blade means, means for positioning said squeegee blade means on said depending flange, and a releasable locking means for detachably securing said blade means to said blade holding means, said locking means including a slideway formed in the horizontal flange of said holding meAns, said slideway being angled toward said depending flange and blade means positioned thereon, a slide movably mounted in said slideway, said slide in the operative position being disposed in bearing relationship on said blade means whereby said blade means is securely wedged between said depending flange and said slide.
 12. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein said positioning means includes a pin projecting from said depending flange, and a complementary hole formed on said blade means adapted to receive said pin in the operative position.
 13. A squeegee assembly as defined in claim 11 and wherein said blade means and associated depending flange of said holder have complementary key and keyway formed thereon.
 14. A squeegee assembly for use on a screen printing machine comprising: means defining a support bar, a blade holding means including a squeegee blade means connected thereto, adjusting means for connecting said blade holding means and connected squeegee blade means for relative movement with respect to said support bar to vary the pressure at which said squeegee blade means is adapted to bear on a printing screen, complementary means formed on said holding means and squeegee blade means for positioning said squeegee blade means on said holding means, and a releasable locking means for detachably securing said squeegee blade means to said holding means, said releasable locking means including: a slideway formed in said holding means, said slideway being angled toward said squeegee blade means, and a locking slide movably mounted in said slideway which is gravity actuated toward said squeegee blade means for securely wedging said blade means to said holder means in the operative position thereof. 